Novelty video device and method

ABSTRACT

An article of print media that includes an electronic module that has at least one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronic module and first means for closing the electronic module such that at least a first video is shown.

This application claims priority from, incorporates by reference and isa continuation in part of co-pending patent application Ser. No.12/263,277, filed Oct. 31, 2008, which is a continuation in part ofco-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/199,740, filed Aug. 27, 2008which are both incorporated by reference as though set forth fullyherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to video novelty devices, and,more particularly, to recordable video novelty devices and methods foroperating same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video displays are known in the art including video displays that areincorporated into apparel and statues. As used herein, “video” meansvideo alone or in combination with audio. As used herein “message” meansa message that is either visual, audio or both.

In addition, there are audible greeting cards that play prerecordedmessages activated either by a slide tongue mechanism that begins toplay the recorded message when the card is opened or by a button that ispressed to initiate the playback. Other cards are able to record shortaudio messages that are later played back when the card by eitheropening the card and triggering the tongue mechanism or pressing abutton located somewhere on the card. There are yet other cards thatplay prerecorded music or make other sounds. None of these cards,however, are able to perform two or more sensory actions at once, whereone of the actions is created by the user or do some other combinationof sensory displays simultaneously that involve some personalizedmessage or display created by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a novelty method and device suitable forinsertion into print media such as greeting cards, magazines, packaging,direct mail, point of purchase (“POP”) displays, gift cards; intoapparel such as t-shirts, caps, and hats; other devices such as plasticnovelty items, sculpted novelty items, figurines, statues, models,watches, jewelry, or any other type of object in which a personalizedmessage would be desired.

An embodiment of the present invention comprises an electronic modulecontaining at least one microchip for storing data and for controllingthe electronic module and means for triggering the electronic module ina first manner such as, but not limited to, the use of a switch,pressure button, solar cell, magnets, light sensors, motions sensors,vibration trigger, tilt trigger, or the like, which causes at least afirst sensory action such as, but not limited to, sound, music, musicand sound, lights, flashing lights, vibration, shaking, release of ascent, the spraying of confetti, a visual display, a video, or any othertype of visual, auditory, physical or olfactory effect, to occur.Thereafter, when the module is triggered in a second manner, such as,but not limited to, by the use of second means for closing, which maybe, but is not limited to, a second switch, a pressure button, solarcell, magnets, light sensors, motions sensors, vibration trigger, tilttrigger, or the like, a personalized second sensory action or messagemay be created by the user at the same time as the first sensory actionoccurs, and/or a new video may be recorded to replace the originalvideo.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in which there is apersonalized secondary sensory action, it may be an auditory messagewhich will be recorded by the user onto the microchip, a visuallydisplayed message displayed on LCD, a synchronized and illuminated OLED,fiber optics, LED or other type of programmable visual display connectedto the microchip, a recorded or prerecorded video which is stored by theuser onto the microchip, music or vocals that are selected from avariety of music and/or vocals recorded and stored on the microchip bythe user or some other type of personalized visual or auditory message.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user cancontinually recreate or record the personalized secondary sensory actionuntil a satisfactory personalized message is obtained.

In a preferred embodiment in which a video is to be the first or secondsensory action, means for downloading the sensory action is provided,which may be a USB or some other type of downloading port or connectorknown in the art.

In many of the embodiments of the invention, once the satisfactorymessage is obtained, the ability to record a new message is disabled, sothat no further recording can occur. This can be achieved by amechanical, electrical or wireless signal disruption, or by any othermeans to prevent a recording from taking place.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the novelty item containsa third means for closing which may be, but is not limited to, a switch,pressure button, solar cell, magnets, light sensors, motion sensors,vibration trigger, tilt trigger, or the like, which when activatedcauses the speed of the playback of the personalized recorded message tochange via the software contained on the chip. In another embodiment ofthe present invention, there may be another means for closing, which maybe, but is not limited to, a different switch, pressure button, solarcell, magnets, light sensors, motion sensors, vibration trigger, tilttrigger, or the like, which when activated, causes the microchip toprocess the personalized message so that the message is altered. By wayof example and not limitation, in one embodiment of the invention wherea vocalized message has been recorded, by pressing this switch or buttonor the like, the message is processed by the microchip such that thevoice of a particular movie star, cartoon character, robot or some otherperson or entity is heard speaking/singing the message, or in anotherembodiment, the message is processed such that a special effect isimposed upon the voice originally recorded such that, by way of example,and not limitation, the message sounds like the person is underwater oris electronically talking or has some other speech altering effectimposed upon the original recording.

In a method of the present invention, an electronic module containing amemory chip and software, is charged by, such as, but not limited to,the closing of a switch, the pressing of a button, exposing a solar cellor a light sensor to light, joining of opposing magnets, moving a motionsensor, vibration trigger, tilt trigger, or the like, such that at leasta first sensory action occurs. The sensory action could be, but is notlimited to sound, music, music and vocals, lights, flashing lights,vibration, shaking, release of a scent, confetti or the like, theplaying of a video or other visual effect or another physical, visual,audible or olfactory action of some type. After the module is chargedagain, the software stored on the memory chip causes the first oranother sensory action to occur while a personalized message, such as avocals, music, sound, the programming of an LED, OLED or LCD display oranother type of programmable visual display or a video to be created bythe user.

By way of example and not limitation, in a particular embodiment, avideo could be created by using CCD chipsets, an on-board movie camera,another type of video recorder, a flash card or the like, connecting themodule to another device using a cable or wireless communication device.

After the message is created and recorded, when the module is chargedagain, the microchip detects the recorded message and causes the messageto be played at the same time as the sensory action that was occurringwhile the message was being created. In yet a further embodiment of thepresent invention, more than one sensory effect can occur while themessage is playing by adding the appropriate chipsets, software, sensorydevices, and triggers.

In yet another method of the present invention, the user can continuallyrecreate messages or download videos until a satisfactory message orvideo is created. In yet another method of the present invention, once asatisfactory message or video is created, the ability to create anotherversion of the message or download a different video is disabled.

In yet a further method of the present invention, a user can speed up orslow down the playback of the message and/or the sensory action. In yetanother method of the present invention, the software processes thevocal message after it is recorded so that it no longer sounds like itdid when it was created, such that it can sound like a particular moviestar, cartoon character, other person, robot, person talking underwateror it causes the message to be processed by any other type of vocallyaltering or distorting effect.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a thinvideo display is incorporated into print media such as a greeting card,magazine, advertisement, POP, packaging or the like. Means are providedto record, download or replace the video to be shown on the videodisplay. In some embodiments means are also provided to recharge thepower source for the video display.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a novelty item that includes an electronic module having atleast one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronicmodule; and first means for closing the electronic module such that atleast a first video is shown. In a preferred embodiment, the noveltyitem includes a second means for closing the electronic module such thatat least a second video is shown. Preferably, the electronic module andchip are housed in a foldable support structure, the first means forclosing the electronic module is a slide tongue that moves when thefoldable support structure is opened or closed, and the second means forclosing the electronic module is a button.

In yet another preferred embodiment there is provided a method ofplaying a video. The method includes providing a foldable supportstructure having a video screen, a memory having at least a first videostored therein and an energy source, wherein the foldable supportstructure has a closed position and an open position and the foldablesupport structure is initially in the closed position. The method alsoincludes moving the foldable support structure to the open position,thereby causing a first switch to be closed and the first video to beplayed on the video screen.

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided an article of printmedia comprising an electronic module that includes at least one chipfor storing data and for controlling the electronic module, a videoscreen, and a first switch activator for closing a first switch in theelectronic module such that at least a first video is shown on the videoscreen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more readily understood by referring to theaccompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present inventionas it is used in a greeting card.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternate preferred embodiment of thepresent invention as it is used in a greeting card.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternate preferred embodimentof the present invention as it is used in a greeting card.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another alternate preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of the embodiment ofFIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following descriptions of the invention, terms such as “front,”“back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” and the like are used herein merely forease of description and refer to the orientation of the components asshown in the Figures.

Generally, the present invention may be briefly described as follows.Referring first to FIG. 1, a schematic of the electronic module 100 ofthe present invention is shown.

The electronic module 100 can be mounted into, onto or affixed to printmedia such as greeting cards, magazines, packaging, direct mail, pointof purchase (“POP”) displays, gift cards; into apparel such as t-shirts,caps, and hats; other devices such as plastic novelty items, sculptednovelty items, figurines, statues, models, watches, jewelry, or anyother type of object in which a personalized message would be desired.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic module 100 comprises a firstand a second electronic microchips 10 and 20. In alternate embodimentsonly one microchip may be used that performs the same functions as thefirst and second microchip 10 and 20. Likewise, additional microchipscan be added to the module 100 to increase the functionality, addadditional sensory effects or cause additional sensory effects to occur.

In a preferred embodiment, microchip 10 contains all of the prerecordeddata and the software that controls the various features of the module.In the same preferred embodiment, microchip 20 controls the recordingand playback features of the module. However, one microchip thatperforms both functions may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, microchip 10 is coupled to a switching means13. In the preferred embodiment, switching means 13 is comprised of twoswitches 12 and 18, but in an alternate embodiment a third switch 24 isused. As used herein, switch shall be interchangeably used with pressurebutton, solar cell, magnets, light sensors, motions sensors, vibrationtrigger, tilt trigger, or the like; however, any structure known in theart that can cause a module to close and let power flow through can beused.

The switching means 13 is connected to a power source 14, which in apreferred embodiment is comprised of button batteries of sufficient sizeto power the module and software. However, any miniature mountable powersource of sufficient power may be used such as, but not limited to,solar cells, direct drives, mechanically driven drives and the like. Thepreferred button batteries used to power the device are of sufficientcapacity as to allow the device to be operated repeatedly for severalmonths.

In a preferred embodiment, the batteries are laid flat and mounted onthe same module board containing the first and second microchips 10 and20.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power source isrechargeable. Thus, a port (not shown) such as a USB port, an AC or DCconnector port, or another type of port known in the art is connected tothe power source which recharges the power source using a computer oranother power source.

In a preferred embodiment, the output of the first microchip 10 isconnected to the input of the second microchip 20.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the second microchip20 is connected to a microphone 22 for recording a verbal message orvocals. In the same preferred embodiment, the output of the secondmicrochip 20 is connected to a flat speaker 16. However, in alternateembodiments, numerous speakers (not shown) may be connected to providestereo or surround sound or any means that generates sound other thanspeakers can be used with suitable electronic modifications made to themicrochip for driving the speakers.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention such as the one shownin FIG. 3, the second microchip 20 either may be connected directly to avideo recorder (not shown) for recording a video message which then isrecorded onto the microchip 10 or is connected through a USB or othertype port (not shown) to a computer or other video device to download avideo onto the microchip. In a preferred embodiment, the port may be thesame port referred to above for recharging the power source. In apreferred embodiment, see FIG. 3, the visual display 113 may be, but isnot limited to, an LCD, OLED or LED device, that is attached to theoutput of one of the microchips. The input can be a prerecorded plug inplayer, a small still 52 or movie camera (not shown), a CCD array or thelike. In another embodiment, the input can be from a flash drive, awireless communication device, a hard wired device, a USB or other typeport connected to a computer or to a video camera and the like.

Likewise in other alternate embodiments of the present invention, eitherof the microchips may be connected to OLEDs, LEDS (not shown) or tominiature light bulbs or other light generating devices known in theart, in order to create a visual effect such as a steady, flashing orsynchronized light. In other alternate embodiments, the microchips maybe connected to a mechanism such as an offset motor 54 or any othersimilar device known in the art that will cause the device to vibrate,shake or cause some other physical action. In yet further embodiments ofthe present invention, the microchips may be connected to a smallhousing 15 containing a capsule (not shown) containing confetti, someother item, or a scent, and, at the appropriate time determined by themicrochip, the capsule will break in response to a signal from the firstmicrochip 10 to release the contents.

In an embodiment this can be achieved by using a capsule under pressurethat is electronically or mechanically ruptured, such as, but notlimited to, triggering a spring loaded arm with a striker that breaksthe capsule.

In other embodiments, the capsule may be a spray tube so that inresponse to a signal from the first microchip 10, a spring loaded or thelike nozzle will cause the contents of the spray tube to be released.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, anotherswitching means 26 is attached to the second microchip 20. In someembodiments, the switching means 26 will be a pressure button, whichwhen pressed, will trigger the software to cause the speed at which themessage is played to change so that the message will be played backeither faster or slower. In other embodiments, the switching means 26can causes the original message to become altered by triggering theappropriate software to process the original message. By way of exampleand not limitation, switching means 26 could trigger software containedwithin the first or second microchip to process the original verbalmessage so that the voice becomes that of a cartoon character,well-known personality, or becomes distorted in some way such assounding electronic, sounding like it was recorded underwater, or someother distorted way.

In operation, the module of the present invention operates as follows.When switch 12 is first closed, the microchip 10 is powered such that itcauses a preprogrammed first sensory action to occur. By way of exampleand not limitation, that first sensory action could be the playback ofprerecorded music, the playback of prerecorded music and vocals, theplayback of a video, the playback of sounds, the flashing or steadyshining of a light, the vibration or shaking of the object on which theelectronic module has been attached, the spraying of a spray tubecontaining a scent, or any type of aural, visual, olfactory or physicalaction and the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when switch 18 isclosed, microchip 10 is powered such that it causes both the firstsensory action to occur and causes microchip 20 to begin to record apersonalized message. As set forth above, the personalized message maybe vocal or visual. By way of example and not limitation, when the firstsensory action is the playback of music, the personal message might bevocals sung by the user or another verbal message, the possibilities arelimitless.

Alternatively, the personal message might be a video that may berecorded by the second microchip 20. In alternative methods of thepresent invention, when switch 18 is closed microchip 10 powers aprogrammable visual display 113 on which the user inputs a message thatis recorded to be displayed on the visual display device 113 attached tomicrochip 20.

After the personalized message or alternate video is recorded, whenswitch 12 is closed again, the personalized message or video will beplayed back at the same time that the first sensory action occurs ifdesired.

In a preferred method of the present invention, the step of creating apersonalized message or video can be repeated over and over again byrepeatedly closing switch 18 until a satisfactory personalized messageor video is created. In yet another embodiment, an additional switch,switch 24 can be connected to the module, to erase the previousrecordings, so as to allow the personalized message or video to bererecorded.

In yet a further preferred method of the present invention, after asatisfactory personalized message or video is created, switch 18 ispermanently disabled. In a preferred embodiment, the disabling means 11may be a tape, a string, a button or the like physically attached toswitch 24, such that pulling on the disabling means 11 will disable orbreak switch 24 so that the module is unable create any furtherrecordings. The disabling means could also be a button or switchattached to the module that when pressured will permanently disable anyfuture recordings.

In the present invention, once microchip 10 determines whether a messageor new video has been recorded, it will select the next action to takeplace when the module is again closed by switch 12.

In a preferred method of the present invention, when switch 26 isclosed, microchip 20 causes the speed of the playback of thepersonalized message to change so that it is faster or slower thanoriginally recorded. In yet another method of the present invention,microchip 10 processes the recorded message causing the original messageto become altered. For example, when the original message is a vocalrecording, the microchip can make the original recording sound like itemanated under water, or was spoken by a cartoon character or by someother famous person or distort or alter the recording in any othersimilar manner using special effects well known in the art.

Likewise, in another method of the present invention, another sensoryaction, such as those previously mentioned, which are also stored on thefirst microchip 10, could be triggered upon the particular occurrence ofthe closing of the module so that it occurs at the same time as theplayback of the message.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first sensory action isprerecorded music and vocals stored on microchip 10. By way of exampleand not limitation, in that embodiment, when switch 12 is closed, theprerecorded music and vocals play. Thereafter, when switch 18 is closed,just the prerecorded music is heard through speaker 16 so that thevocals of the user can be recorded by microchip 20 via microphone 22. Inthe same embodiment, the next time that switch 12 is closed, theprerecorded music and the user recorded vocals will be played back sothat they are heard at the same time. In another embodiment, instead ofvocals being recorded, the user can record a personalized visual message(such as a video, or a message to be displayed on the visual display)with appropriate alterations to the module 100. For example, the module100 can have a USB connector (not shown) attached thereto or contain awireless communication device (not shown), a flash drive, or any othervideo device for downloading a video onto the module. In otherembodiments, the module may contain a video camera, a CCD array or thelike for recording a video.

Referring next to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown mounted onto a support structure 117 in a greetingcard 110. In FIG. 2, greeting card 110 has a slide tongue mechanism 12 athat operates switch 12. Slide tongue mechanism 12 a is connected tomicrochip 10, such that sliding of the tongue mechanism 12 a generallyalong one dimension causes either activation or deactivation of themicrochip 10. The switch 12 is activated by the tongue mechanism 12 asuch that the folding or unfolding of the greeting card causes thetongue mechanism 12 a to either deactivate or activate the switch 12 andthereby activate or deactivate the microchip 10, respectively. Inanother embodiment, instead of using a slide tongue mechanism, theswitch 12 can be operated by a push mechanism or button (not shown), alight sensor, pressure button, switch, magnets, motions sensor,vibration trigger, tilt trigger, or the like, or any other moduleclosing device known in the art with appropriate modifications to themodule. The push mechanism can be a small dome or membrane havingconductive material with an electric insulator such that the unfoldingof the device can cause the module to close.

In the greeting card embodiment of the present invention, a speaker 16and a microphone 22 is shown. Batteries 14 are connected to the providethe power necessary to run the system. There also is another switchactivator which is shown as a push mechanism 24, although any switchingmechanism can be used. In the embodiment shown, the switch activator 24is a small dome or membrane having conductive material with an electricinsulator which is receptive to touch so that pushing on the pushmechanism will cause the recording of the personalized message to occur.Likewise, in a greeting card embodiment, switch activators 18 and/or 26can also be a push mechanism, however, any switch activator known in theart can be used. The slide tongue 12 is also referred to herein as aswitch activator.

In a preferred embodiment the greeting card is a karaoke card on whichprerecorded music has been stored in microchip 10. When switch activator24 is triggered by the user, it closes the module and energizesmicrochips 10 and 20 so that vocals can be recorded at the same time asthe music is playing. Thereafter when switch 12 is activated, therecorded vocals will be played back at the same time as the music.

In one embodiment, the greeting card also contains prerecorded music andvocals on microchip 10 that are played back every time that there are norecorded vocals. The vocals can be the lyrics to the song sung by aprofessional singer or could be instructions on how to operate the card.

In one embodiment, continuous pushing on switch activator 26 will alterthe speed of the playback of the recorded vocals and music.Alternatively in other embodiments, pushing on switch activator 26 willalter the recorded vocals such that they do not sound the same as whenthey were originally recorded.

By repeatedly pressing on push button 24, the vocals may be recordedover and over until satisfactory recorded vocals are created by theuser. Thereafter, disabling means 11 such as a tape, string, button orthe like, may be attached to switch 24 such that pulling on it willdisable or break switch 24 so that the module is unable create anyfurther recordings.

In addition, the greeting card could contain at least one gap throughwhich a small bulb or LED could emit light for creating a visual effectwhen switch 24 is triggered. Likewise, the card could have an additionalmechanism (not shown) attached for creating a physical action whenswitch 24 is triggered.

In yet further embodiments, the greeting card could contain a means forselecting prerecorded music by way of example, and not limitation, byhaving a plurality of music choices stored on the microchip and having aswitch which is turned to input the exact music selected by the user.

Referring once again to FIG. 3A, an alternate preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is shown mounted onto a support structure 117 in agreeting card 110. In FIG. 3A, greeting card 110 has a slide tonguemechanism 12 a. Slide tongue mechanism 12 a is slidably connected toswitch 12 which is connected to microchip 10 in FIG. 1, such thatsliding of the tongue mechanism generally along one dimension causeseither activation or deactivation of the microchip 10. The switch 12 isactivated by the tongue mechanism 12 a such that the folding orunfolding of the greeting card causes the tongue mechanism to eitherdeactivate or activate the switch 12 and thereby activate or deactivatethe microchip 10, respectively. In another embodiment, instead of usinga slide tongue mechanism, the switch 12 can be operated by a pushmechanism or button (not shown), a light sensor, pressure button,switch, magnets, motions sensor, vibration trigger, tilt trigger, or thelike, or any other module closing device known in the art withappropriate modifications to the module. The push mechanism can be asmall dome or membrane having conductive material with an electricinsulator such that the unfolding of the device can cause the module toclose.

In the greeting card embodiment of the present invention, a speaker 16and a microphone 22 is shown. Batteries 14 are shown connected to theprovide the power necessary to run the system. There also is anotherswitch activator 24 which is shown as a push mechanism, although anyswitching mechanism can be used. In the embodiment shown, the switchactivator 24 is a small dome or membrane having conductive material withan electric insulator which is receptive to touch so that pushing on thepush mechanism will cause the recording of the personalized message tooccur. Likewise, in a greeting card embodiment, switch activator 26 isalso a push mechanism, however, any switch activator known in the artcan be used. Pushing on switch activator 26 can cause the recording todo something unusual like speed up, slow down, come out in a differentvoice, etc. For example, where a vocalized message has been recorded orprerecorded, by pressing switch activator/button 26 or the like, themessage is processed by the microchip such that the voice of aparticular movie star, cartoon character, robot or some other person orentity is heard speaking/singing the message, or in another embodiment,the message is processed such that a special effect is imposed upon thevoice originally recorded such that, by way of example, and notlimitation, the message sounds like the person is underwater or iselectronically talking or has some other speech altering effect imposedupon the original recording.

Referring to FIG. 4, a greeting card contains a video screen 113 onwhich a video has been stored in microchip 10. When switch activator 24is triggered by the user, it closes the module and energizes microchips10 and 20 so that a new video can be recorded to replace the existingvideo. In a preferred embodiment, a new video is recorded through theuse of a suitable connector such as the USB connector 120 shown in FIG.4, although any suitable connection port may be used. Thereafter whenswitch 12 is activated, the new video will be played back. In addition,the embodiment may also contain a port 122 for recharging the energysource. Thus, the present invention has the ability to have real videoin print and to be able to download new content into print to supplementa pre-recorded video, or download overtop of the pre-recorded with a newvideo, as well as also be able to re-charge the batteries for repeatedplayings of the video.

In one embodiment, the greeting card also contains prerecorded music andvocals and/or a video on microchip 10 that are/is played back every timethat there are no recorded vocals and/or video. When it is prerecordedmusic and vocals, the vocals can be the lyrics to the song sung by aprofessional singer or could be instructions on how to operate the card.When it is a video, the video can explain how to operate the card andrerecord a new video.

In one embodiment, continuous pushing on switch activator 26 will alterthe speed of the playback of the recorded vocals and music or video.Alternatively in other embodiments, pushing on switch activator 26 willalter the recorded vocals such that they do not sound the same as whenthey were originally recorded.

By repeatedly pressing on push button 24, the vocals or video may berecorded over and over until satisfactory recorded vocals or video arecreated by the user. Thereafter, disabling means 11 such as a tape,string, button or the like, may be attached to switch 24 such thatpulling on it will disable or break switch 24 so that the module isunable create any further recordings.

In addition, the greeting card could contain at least one gap throughwhich a small bulb or LED could emit light for creating a visual effectwhen switch 12 is triggered. Likewise, the card could have an additionalmechanism such as a camera 52 affixed thereto for creating images whenthe switch 12 is triggered and thereafter the images could be shown onvideo screen 113.

In yet further embodiments, the greeting card could contain a means forselecting prerecorded music by way of example, and not limitation, byhaving a plurality of music choices stored on the microchip and having aswitch which is turned to input the exact music selected by the user.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a further device 15 is supplied inwhich there is a small housing containing a scent such that when therecipient of the card pulls on a tab, the scent contained within thesealed capsule, a striker will rupture the capsule releasing the scent.Alternatively instead of scent being housed in the capsule, confetti orother items could be released. Alternatively housing 15 could contain aspring loaded capsule such that when the user presses a release, thecontents is released.

FIGS. 5-6 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Inthis embodiment, the foldable support structure 117 comprises a card 110that includes a video screen 113 and a plurality of buttons/switchactivators (referred to herein as first button 32, second button 34,third button 36 and fourth button 38). The internal components (e.g.,the slide tongue, switches, microchips, speaker, mic, video screen,buttons, etc.) associated with the card 110 are the same or similar tothose shown in FIGS. 1-4 above. This exemplary embodiment is directed toan implementation of how those components work together to create acommercial embodiment.

A first predetermined media, such as a video (e.g., a movie trailer,song video or the like) is stored in the memory of microchip 20. Whenthe cover 40 of the card 110 is opened, as a result of movement of slidetongue 12 a, microchip 10 is activated and the movie trailer stored inmicrochip 20 begins to play on video screen 113. To stop the trailerfrom being played, the cover 40 is closed, and, as a result of movementof slide tongue 12 a, microchip 10 is deactivated. Accordingly, thefirst predetermined media (also referred to herein as video one) isassociated with slide tongue 12 a/switch 12.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that buttons 32, 34,36 and 38 each have a different predetermined media associated with them(also referred to herein as videos two through five). Each of thebuttons 32, 34, 36 and 38 actuates a switch that causes anotherpredetermined media stored in microchip 20 to be played. Accordingly,the second predetermined media is associated with first button 32, thethird predetermined media is associated with second button 34, thefourth predetermined media is associated with third button 36, and thefifth predetermined media is associated with fourth button 32. It willbe understood that the number of buttons and/or media pieces or clips isnot a limitation on the present invention.

In use, as described above, when cover 40 is opened, video one beginsplaying on screen 113. If one of the buttons 32, 34, 36 or 38 ispressed, video one will stop playing and the video associated with thedepressed button will begin to play.

Generally, any type of video screen that is thin and can be incorporatedinto printed material (e.g., greeting card, newspaper, magazine, flyer,brouchure, book, folder, etc.) is within the scope of the presentinvention.

As described above, the video screen 113 can include LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) technology. However, this is not a limitation on the presentinvention. The video screen 113 can be any type of video screentechnology known in the art, such as monochrome, electro-chromic, TFT(thin film transistor), OLED (organic light emitting diode), CSTN (colorsuper-twist nematic), DSTN (double layer STN, dual scan STN), FRSTN(fast response STN), FSTN (film compensated STN, formulated STN orfiltered STN), FFSTN (double film super-twist nematic), MSTN (monochromesuper-twist nematic), active-matrix electrophoretic display (e-ink) orany other video screen technology now known or later developed.

In another embodiment similar to the one shown in FIG. 5, instead ofincluding a plurality of buttons a single button that cycles through theplurality of videos can be used. In other words, video one is associatedwith the slide tongue 12 a and videos two-five (or any number) areassociated with a single button that when pressed the first time startsvideo two, when pressed a second time starts video three and so on.

These embodiments could be useful, for example, for a movie studio thatis releasing a number of different films for the upcoming summer season.They could mail out these cards with the various trailers stored in thememory of the card to consumers, movie houses, businesses, etc. Also,the different clips operated by either the slide tongue or the buttonscould be different chapters in a movie or TV show (similar to what isused in DVD's). In another embodiment, a single button can be pressedmore than once to cycle through the different media or video clips. Forexample, pressing the button once causes trailer one to play, pressingit again causes trailer two to play, pressing it again causes trailerthree to play, etc.

In another embodiment, to make the cards more attractive to consumers,the memory can contain prerecorded media, such as the movie trailersdescribed above, but can also include the capability of recording newvideos or downloading new videos as well. For example, a user could havehis/her own card for recording and playing back videos (operated by,e.g., button 32), while at the same time, every time he/she opens thecard, the movie trailer associated with the slide tongue 12 a is played.In other words, in an example, the microchip includes a gigabyte ofmemory and includes a prerecorded video that takes up 100 megabytes ofmemory. This prerecorded video is “locked in” and cannot be erased.However, the chip still includes 900 megabytes of free memory that theuser can use to record whatever they desire. For example, the use couldgo to youtube.com and download videos and play those back at a latertime. In this embodiment, the card may include a button or buttons thatare specifically devoted to the recording and playback of bonusmaterials.

The media clips can be recorded into memory by the user by pressing abutton and recording audio and/or video (as described above), insertinga flash/thumb drive, etc. to USB port 122 to either download to memoryor to play directly from the memory of the drive.

It will be understood that the basic configuration of the presentinvention can include the electronic module including a printed circuitboard, speaker, batteries and a video screen. Playing of a video can beactuated in a number of different ways, including a slide tongue, pushbutton, motion sensor, light sensor, magnets, etc. And this can be doneto play one or a series of videos. Another embodiments can include aslide tongue actuating the first video and push buttons for actuatingother videos. In another embodiment, the slide tongue can be omitted anda plurality of push buttons or other actuation methods (described above)can actuate the videos. In another embodiment, the slide tongue can beomitted and a single push button or other actuation method can be usedto cycle through a plurality of videos. In yet another embodiment, theuser can download additional information from a computer or other memorystorage device to overwrite any pre-recorded messages. In yet anotherembodiment, the user can download additional information from a computeror other memory storage device in addition to unerasable, pre-recordedmessages that still play back even after the additional information hasbeen added by the user.

In another embodiment, instead of activation of a video or audio clip,the closing of the switches can cause something related to smell, touchor taste to occur.

Those skilled in the art will understand that this type of noveltydevice can be used in a variety of objects such as print media such asgreeting cards, magazines, packaging, direct mail, point of purchase(“POP”) displays, gift cards; into apparel such as t-shirts, caps, andhats; other devices such as plastic novelty items, sculpted noveltyitems, figurines, statues, models, watches, jewelry, or any other typeof object in which a personalized message would be desired.

The embodiments and methods described above are exemplary embodimentsand methods of the present invention. While particular embodiments ofthe present invention have been illustrated and described, it will beapparent that various modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art may nowmake numerous uses of, and departures from, the above-describedembodiments and methods without departing from the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. Thus, the construction of the embodiments and thesteps of the methods disclosed herein are not limitations of theinvention. Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely bythe scope of the following claims.

1. A novelty item, comprising: an electronic module comprising: at least one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronic module; and first means for closing the electronic module such that at least a first video is shown.
 2. The novelty item of claim 1 wherein the electronic module and chip are housed in a foldable support structure.
 3. The novelty item of claim 2 wherein the first means for closing the electronic module is a slide tongue that moves when the foldable support structure is opened or closed.
 4. The novelty item of claim 3, further comprising a rechargeable power source for powering the electronic module.
 5. The novelty item of claim 4 further comprising a port connected to the rechargeable power source for recharging the rechargeable power source.
 6. The novelty item of claim 1 further comprising a second means for closing the electronic module such that at least a second video is shown.
 7. The novelty item of claim 6 wherein the electronic module and chip are housed in a foldable support structure, wherein the first means for closing the electronic module is a slide tongue that moves when the foldable support structure is opened or closed, and wherein the second means for closing the electronic module is a button.
 8. A method of playing a video, the method comprising the steps of: providing a foldable support structure having a video screen, a memory having at least a first video stored therein and an energy source, wherein the foldable support structure has a closed position and an open position and the foldable support structure is initially in the closed position, and moving the foldable support structure to the open position, thereby causing a first switch to be closed and the first video to be played on the video screen.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first switch is closed by a slide tongue that moves when the foldable support structure is pivoted between the open and closed positions.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the memory includes at least a second video stored therein and the method further comprises the step of pushing a button, thereby closing a second switch and playing the second video on the video screen.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the foldable support structure includes a port and wherein the method further comprises the step of plugging a source of energy into the port and recharging the energy source housed in the foldable support structure.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the foldable support structure includes a port and wherein the method further comprises the step of plugging a data source into the port and uploading media to the memory housed in the foldable support structure.
 13. An article of print media comprising an electronic module that includes at least one chip for storing data and for controlling the electronic module, a video screen, and a first switch activator for closing a first switch in the electronic module such that at least a first video is shown on the video screen.
 14. The article of print media of claim 13 wherein the electronic module and chip are housed in a foldable support structure that includes print thereon.
 15. The article of print media of claim 14 wherein the first switch activator is a slide tongue that moves when the foldable support structure is opened or closed.
 16. The article of print media of claim 15, further comprising a rechargeable power source for powering the electronic module.
 17. The article of print media of claim 16 further comprising a port connected to the rechargeable power source for recharging the rechargeable power source.
 18. The article of print media of claim 13 further comprising a second switch activator for closing a second switch in the electronic module such that at least a second video is shown on the video screen.
 19. The article of print media of claim 18 wherein the first switch activator is a slide tongue that moves when the article of print media is opened or closed, and wherein the second switch activator is a button. 